In the blink of an eye.
Several more days had passed.
Early mornings in late autumn always seemed darker than usual.
Jiang Ning sat cross-legged in a wooden tub, steam rising from the water as the firewood beneath crackled occasionally.
Sparks flew.
"Sir, you really can endure hardship!" Xie Xiaojiu propped her head up with her hand, her eyelids drooping as her head occasionally nodded forward.
At that moment.
Jiang Ning suddenly opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face.
Seeing this, Xie Xiaojiu, who had been struggling to stay awake, immediately became more alert, her drowsiness dissipating.
"Sir!" she called out.
Jiang Ning clenched his fist, a look of satisfaction on his face as he felt the strength coursing through his body.
"Finally, I've reached the level of flood dragon tendons!"
"Next, I need to figure out how to gather the remaining contribution points to exchange for the Dragon Ascension Pill as soon as possible and achieve the level of dragon tendons!"
Jiang Ning thought to himself.
Then.
He stood up.
Splash
Water cascaded off his body and back into the tub.
"Sir, are we done for today?" Xie Xiaojiu asked.
"Yes, we're done," Jiang Ning nodded.
"Why so early today?" Xie Xiaojiu wondered.
Jiang Ning replied, "I've broken through, so it's time to end today's tendon refinement."
Xie Xiaojiu's eyes widened in surprise.
"Sir, you've broken through?"
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded, a smile spreading across his face.
Reaching the level of flood dragon tendons meant his strength had increased once again.
Next, he just needed to figure out how to gather thirty thousand contribution points to exchange for the Dragon Ascension Pill, and he might be able to break through to the level of dragon tendons.
Once he reached that level, he could begin working toward the sixth rank.
"Sir has truly broken through!!" Xie Xiaojiu thought to herself, her heart filled with awe.
Seeing the calm and confident expression on Jiang Ning's face, she no longer had any doubts.
A few days ago, she had witnessed Jiang Ning's strength firsthand.
With a single palm strike, he had killed the seventh-rank peak leader of the Black Mountain Riders.
This meant that Jiang Ning must have already been at the seventh rank of martial arts at that time.
And now, he had broken through again.
Thinking this, Xie Xiaojiu's eyes filled with disbelief.
Breaking through again from his previous level what kind of strength did that represent?
Several hours later.
Jiang Ning boarded Xie Xiaojiu's carriage in a small alley.
"Sir, I'm sorry to keep you waiting in the snow!" Xie Xiaojiu said as she saw Jiang Ning enter the carriage, quickly grabbing a sable coat to drape over him.
"It's fine," Jiang Ning smiled. "It's been a long time since I've seen snow. Standing in it today felt quite nice."
As he spoke, Jiang Ning adjusted the sable coat to make it more comfortable.
This was the first snowfall he had seen since arriving in this world.
He had also taken the opportunity to test whether his water manipulation ability worked on snow.
The results had disappointed him his water manipulation ability did not affect snow.
Moreover, the snow did not extend his sensory perception.
While submerged in water, no matter how cold it was, he felt as if he were soaking in a warm spring.
But in the snow, it was different. He could feel the cold.
Although the cold didn't affect him much, the constant chill was still somewhat uncomfortable.
At the entrance of the Patrol Bureau.
"Master Liu, are you saying that Jiang Ning is likely the one who killed our sect's hall master that night?" A middle-aged woman, braving the heavy snowfall, stood beside Liu Linmen at the entrance of the Patrol Bureau.
"Almost certainly," Liu Linmen said confidently. "We just need to confirm it."
Moments later.
"He's here," Liu Linmen said, looking at the carriage slowly approaching in the distance.
Meanwhile.
Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
"Sir, what's wrong?" Xie Xiaojiu asked, sensing the change in the atmosphere inside the carriage.
"An unwelcome guest has arrived," Jiang Ning said calmly.
"Is it the person you've been avoiding these past few days?" Xie Xiaojiu suddenly asked.
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
"Then, sir, let me handle him later," Xie Xiaojiu offered.
"No need," Jiang Ning said calmly. "He's a smart man. At this point, there's no point in hiding anymore. It would just be self-deception."
On the other side.
Liu Linmen approached Jiang Ning's carriage, followed closely by the middle-aged woman, who remained silent.
Moments later.
Liu Linmen stopped in front of Jiang Ning's carriage and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Commander Jiang. May we speak face to face?"
The snow fell silently and after a moment of silence.
"Very well," a voice came from inside the carriage.
The next moment.
The carriage curtain was pushed aside, and Liu Linmen saw Jiang Ning, dressed in a white brocade robe, step out.
This white robe had been custom-made for Jiang Ning by Xie Xiaojiu a few days ago.
She had said that Jiang Ning looked good in white.
So Jiang Ning had gone along with it.
At the same time.
Xie Xiaojiu, dressed in a black dress, also stepped out of the carriage, standing beside Jiang Ning.
"Wait here for me," Jiang Ning said to Xie Xiaojiu, handing her the sable coat.
Xie Xiaojiu nodded obediently, taking the coat from Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning jumped down from the carriage, landing softly on the snow-covered ground without a sound.
At that moment, Liu Linmen raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers lightly brushing his forehead.
In the next moment.
He understood.
"So it's true!!"
"Come, let's talk," Jiang Ning said calmly.
"Yes," Liu Linmen replied with a hint of respect, following Jiang Ning.
Now that he had seen Jiang Ning in person, he was even more convinced of his earlier thoughts.
Because he sensed no trace of panic or nervousness in Jiang Ning.
All he felt was calmness and confidence.
After all, as a hall master of the Yellow Heaven Sect, Liu Linmen was a genuine fifth-rank internal strength expert.
He had already condensed his internal energy.
With such strength, even in a small place like Luoshui County, or even in the prefectural city of Dongling, he wouldn't be intimidated by the presence of those old experts.
And yet.
Jiang Ning, not even twenty years old, showed no fear or tension when faced with him.
How could an ordinary person do that?
In Liu Linmen's eyes, this was undoubtedly a sign of immense confidence.
On the other side.
The middle-aged woman looked at Jiang Ning's back, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Then, her astonishment turned into wild joy.
Spiritual energy!
So much spiritual energy!!
This is a perfect sacrificial offering!!
If I offer this perfect sacrifice, I can ascend to the heavens in one step, strengthen my internal organs, and directly reach the fifth rank.
At this moment, the middle-aged woman's gaze at Jiang Ning's back became tinged with greed.
She saw in Jiang Ning the opportunity for her ascension.
The two of them walked into a nearby alley.
When Jiang Ning stopped.
"Commander Jiang, I apologize for the intrusion today," Liu Linmen said respectfully.
Seeing Liu Linmen's attitude, Jiang Ning felt somewhat puzzled.
But he quickly set aside his confusion.
He could sense that Liu Linmen currently harbored no ill will toward him.
Although he didn't understand why Liu Linmen wasn't hostile, it didn't affect his next move.
A move that was both a bluff and backed by some real confidence.
"Hall Master Liu, now that you've opened your third eye, have you confirmed it?" Jiang Ning asked calmly.
"Yes, I have," Liu Linmen lowered his head slightly, showing respect.
"It took you so many days to find me. It seems the Earth King of your sect is seriously injured," Jiang Ning said casually.
"Injured?" Liu Linmen looked surprised.
Seeing the change in Liu Linmen's expression, Jiang Ning felt even more confident.
Then, he nodded slightly and said, "Your sect's Earth King used his spirit to find me. It wasn't easy for him to retreat unscathed."
Hearing this, Liu Linmen finally understood.
No wonder he hadn't received any response from the Earth King after that day.
It turned out that the Earth King's spirit had been damaged that night.
Injuries to the spirit were always the most troublesome and difficult to heal.
If the injury worsened, it could lead to the soul scattering or even madness.
At this moment, Liu Linmen fully understood why the Earth King had not responded he had been recovering from his spirit injury.
That was why he hadn't had time to respond to Liu Linmen's requests.
At the same time, Liu Linmen noticed another key point in Jiang Ning's words.
The Earth King's spirit had found Jiang Ning and marked him, but Jiang Ning had struck back and injured the Earth King's spirit.
"Injuring a spirit! How could someone from such a small place possess such abilities?" Liu Linmen thought to himself.
Then.
His attitude became even more respectful.
He was now certain of his earlier speculation Jiang Ning was either the reincarnation of a great figure or the possession of an old monster.
Either way, Jiang Ning was no ordinary prodigy.
As Liu Linmen's thoughts churned, Jiang Ning spoke again.
"Hall Master Liu, have you come today to seek revenge for your sect's disciple?"
"Not at all! Not at all!!" Liu Linmen quickly replied, a smile on his face.
Then he said, "Commander Jiang is an official of the court. I am but a commoner. I beg Commander Jiang to show mercy and spare our lives."
"If Commander Jiang is willing to spare us, in the future, should you have any orders, even if it means walking through fire or climbing mountains of blades, I will not hesitate."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning looked at Liu Linmen and suddenly chuckled.
The next moment.
He turned and left.
Seeing Jiang Ning's meaningful smile, Liu Linmen was left confused.
He stared at Jiang Ning's retreating figure, his mind racing.
"What... what does this mean?" Liu Linmen muttered to himself, replaying Jiang Ning's smile in his mind.
"Master Liu!" The middle-aged woman appeared beside Liu Linmen, calling out to him.
Liu Linmen finally snapped out of his thoughts.
"Master Liu, was it Commander Jiang who killed our sect's hall master that night?" the middle-aged woman asked again.
"Yes, it was him," Liu Linmen nodded.
"So it was him!!" The middle-aged woman's eyes narrowed, filled with a fierce determination.
Then she said, "Master Liu, may I have the honor of avenging this?"
"You want to take revenge on Commander Jiang for the death of your sect's hall master?" Liu Linmen asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes," the middle-aged woman nodded firmly. "That man was close to me. I must avenge him."
"So..." the middle-aged woman looked at Liu Linmen, "please grant me the opportunity to take revenge."
Seeing the determination in the woman's eyes, Liu Linmen thought for a moment.
Then he slowly nodded. "Since you insist, then it shall be as you wish."
"Thank you, Master Liu!!" The middle-aged woman's eyes lit up with joy.
This is my chance to ascend to the heavens!!
She thought to herself.
Meanwhile.
Liu Linmen's mind was also filled with intrigue.
This altar master from the Worship God Sect wanted to take action against Jiang Ning, and he was more than happy to let her.
"This is perfect. I can use her to test Jiang Ning's true strength. If he can handle the threat from her, then my earlier speculation is even more likely to be true. In that case, submitting to him wouldn't be a bad idea."
"If I'm wrong, then he'll die at her hands, and when the Patrol Bureau investigates, it won't be my problem."
Liu Linmen quickly thought through the situation.
On the other side.
As soon as Jiang Ning returned to the carriage, he fell into deep thought.
Liu Linmen's behavior had completely surprised him.
After thinking for a long time.
"I suppose Liu Linmen has imagined a lot about me."
"As they say, the most dangerous thing is the imagination of others."
"After today's bluff about the Earth King's spirit being injured, Liu Linmen probably won't dare to act against me for a while."
"That's not a bad thing!"
Having figured this out, Jiang Ning felt relieved.
To be honest.
A fifth-rank internal strength expert, someone who could make even Hong Minghu wary, had put a lot of pressure on him.
Whether he could truly contend with such a person, Jiang Ning had no confidence.
A genuine fifth-rank expert was far beyond someone like him, who had only just begun to grasp internal energy.
After all, his accumulation was still shallow, and the amount of internal energy he possessed was nowhere near that of someone like Liu Linmen.
Not to mention the gap of an entire martial rank between them.
So, if he could avoid a confrontation, for now, that would be for the best.
As Jiang Ning pondered, the carriage entered the gates of the Patrol Bureau.
"Sir, we're here," Xie Xiaojiu said.
Jiang Ning snapped out of his thoughts, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped out.
As the two of them stepped onto the soft snow.
Xie Xiaojiu suddenly asked, "Sir, is that matter resolved?"
Jiang Ning knew what she meant.
He nodded. "For now, it's resolved."
"Then..." Xie Xiaojiu hesitated. "Will you come back with me tonight?"
"I should go home. My brother and sister-in-law must be worried."
Hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu's eyes dimmed slightly.
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